David Egford, who served as the assistant principal and safeguarding lead at Launceston College in Cornwall, has been implicated in a serious breach of professional conduct due to inappropriate text communications with a former student. The revelation of these texts, which reportedly contained sexual content, led to a disciplinary hearing conducted by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). Over a span of three days in early 2024, Egford's messages, which included the suggestive line 'In bed and not dressed', raised alarm about the boundaries of teacher-student interactions, particularly after the student had left the institution.

The TRA's findings determined that Egford's actions constituted unacceptable professional conduct, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clear and appropriate boundaries between educators and students. This case highlights the significant responsibility educators have in safeguarding their professional integrity and the potential consequences of failing to uphold these standards. The incident also raises broader questions regarding the systems in place to monitor and prevent inappropriate relationships within educational settings.

The implications of this case extend beyond Egford's personal conduct, drawing attention to the need for stringent safeguarding policies and teacher training on maintaining professional boundaries with students. As the educational community reflects on this incident, it must consider how to best support both students and educators in fostering a safe, respectful, and professional learning environment.